I had the privilege to attend the 2007 Chicago Pipe Show, what I call
the super bowl of pipe shows. Each year some of us seem to arrive earlier
as there is more to do. It was wonderful to renew old pipe acquaintances
as many of these have been established over many years. One of those was
Dick Morse!! Andy Camire and I were in one of the gathering places and
there was Dick!! It was great to see him and get caught up on all his
good news-job, house, Florida, family. But anyone living in Florida has
to be a little whacked so we sent him off in straightjacket! Nah, we had
a great time together. It was also great to have Andy there as it was
his first Chicago show and he loved it. I'll let him fill in the details.
The accommodations were fine as usual and it will be the last year for
smoking anywhere, as next year will be restricted to the Mega Center show
room and a limited number of rooms. We have decided not to moan over the
restrictions but to be supportive of shows and try to educate others when
possible about the myths of s.h.s. This includes attending shows where
there is no smoking to show that we are not caving into radical activists
and crusaders.

There were outstanding parts of the show. Thursday eve we had the Charatan
Focus Group that was a closed session for Charatan collectors (the ticket
in was to display at least 5 charatans). Supremes, Coronations, Crown
Achievement abounded and Andy Camire received best collection award which
was unexpected he says. His pipes are really beautiful.

Friday has an event called the PreShow, which is one of the highlights
of the week. Someone correctly labeled it the second best pipe show in
the country (second to the main Chicago show) as it is hugh and open to
anyone first come basis. It is a great time to sell your estate pipes
or come and buy pipes. The selection is enormous and lots of trading and
buying occurs. Many of the makers or collectors have their best day on
Friday.

If you’re a golfer then there is a tournament on Friday also with
the usual prizes. The course is beautiful and challenging. The day ends
with a big free banquet put on by the Chicagoland Pipe Club.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday have their usual amounts of seminars, hosted
by the experts, on all the subjects of pipes and tobaciana.

The evenings have their classical room hoping in search for the treasured
pipe or old can of tobacco. It is a chance to meet makers and collectors
in person.

Then we finally "get to the show." Saturday and Sunday is the
main event and it is a monster! 304 tables, 124 pipe makers, 9 continents
represented. To attempt to list who and what was there would be a daunting
process. It is always astounding to me to see just about anyone who is
the "Who's Who" in pipe making but also to see "lesser"
know makers and the usual amount of new makers. And there is a great selection
of pipe tobaccos. Mike and Mary from McClelland's were there introducing
their new exotic leaf tobaccos which are really yummy with lots of spice
and wonderful overtones. Russ from Havanna Cigars was there again and
does a hugh amount of business as he does have wonderful selections (I
love Larry's Blend and Ten to Midnight). There are several exhibits featuring
certain themes including Charatans, Dunhills, and antiques. And to end
the show there is a post show which is Monday am and usually very busy.
This is usually for the folks staying Sunday and catching intercontinental
flights or just extending the good times. Great deals occur then.

At the risk of making this too long I will stop. To me Chicago is the
best show of the year, not to "overdose" on what we collect
but to interact with people and really learn lots. It is a great time
to relax and make this a mini-vacation. Expenses can be curtailed by room
sharing and air flights are quite reasonable. Plan to make it part of
your agenda next year to greatly enhance your life in the pipe world.
We all need to protect these shows as we engage the enemy.